Who We Serve
Real stories from those who have walked this path before.
At Back to Earth, we believe in the transformative power of connecting deeply with the earth. Our primary teaching tool is nature itself—the landscape, the seasons, and the elements. By immersing ourselves in the natural world, we rediscover the wisdom and balance inherent in life, fostering a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
We take care of what we love, and we love what we know. A central element of Back to Earth’s approach is cultivating a close, personal relationship with the natural world. This connection nourishes us as humans and inspires us to treat the world around us with love, gratitude, and respect.
What They Report
Pre Trip
What They Report
Post Trip
Participant Stories
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Mark Sanchez
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Jesse Sachs
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Eli Marienthal
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Cyrus Mayer
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Choclo Clayton
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Eli Klarman
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Ezri Mayeri
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Jerry Manning
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
Mentor Spotlights
Our guides are skilled in the ways of nature and human transformation. Meet the mentors who walk alongside our participants, carrying wisdom from their own journeys.
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Eli Marienthal
Co-Founder,
Executive Director -
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Jesse Sachs
Co-Founder,
Director of Operations -
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Mark Sanchez
WILD Scholars
Program Manager
Participants Who Become Guides
The W.I.L.D. Scholarship Fund supports Back to Earth's commitment to make our offerings available to any young person who feels called, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. To learn more about applying for WSF scholarship support click here .
“Since our founding in 2014, Back to Earth has done everything possible to make sure that every teen who feels called is able to participate in a W.I.L.D. program. The good news is that the demand for this work is growing, and so the need for this funding is growing as well. In 2023, we granted around $40,000 in tuition assistance, and in 2024 that grew to roughly $52,000. We expect this year it will keep growing.
If you are able to support our commitment - to make sure no teen is turned away for lack of funds - please do so by donating to the W.I.L.D. Scholarship Fund. The money we raise allows us to offer direct tuition assistance and outreach to young people who have been historically underrepresented in wilderness programs and expeditionary learning. No amount is too small.
Wild Scholars
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Mark Sanchez
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Jesse Sachs
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Eli Marienthal
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
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Cyrus Mayer
It was an incredible life changing journey where I learned so much about myself and what makes me who I am.
Keep Exploring
Field Notes:
What we’re reading and writing
Our version of a blog - original thoughts and reposted content, on reconnecting to what is sacred and wild in ourselves and our world.
Expanding equity & access in wilderness education
The WILD Scholars Program is a wraparound mentoring and scholarship program for Bay Area high school students from communities who have been historically underrepresented in wilderness education.
Meet the Back to Earth guide and mentor community
We are mentors, climbers, builders, farmers, writers, poets, singers, medics, leaders, teachers, healers, learners, lovers of earth and sky …